NL Power Rankings: A Brave New World

Atlanta Braves (5)

Tim Hudson’s injury wasn’t so devastating after all. Atlanta had won 14 straight until a 1-0 loss Saturday.

Next Monday: AL Power Rankings

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2

Los Angeles Dodgers (3)

Maybe it’s SS Hanley Ramirez who’s the Dodgers’ offensive MVP – not OF Yasiel Puig. Of course, this is really an exercise in splitting hairs: Ramirez’s is slashing .359/.410/.641 compared to Puig’s .376/.442/.598.

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3

St. Louis Cardinals (1)

The Cardinals going to miss C Yadier Molina – at and behind the plate. Good thing he’s expected back from his knee injury Thursday.

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4

Cincinnati Reds (2)

The Reds love the idea of this second wild card. Even though they are five games out in the NL Central, they still a 5½-game cushion on a playoff spot.

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5

Pittsburgh Pirates (4)

The Pirates have a heck of an outfield combo in Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte. The two have combined for 26 homers, 147 runs, 96 RBIs and 57 stolen bases.

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6

Arizona Diamondbacks (6)

1B Paul Goldschmidt would have a better case for an MVP nod if the Dodgers hadn’t take over the division. He’s slashing .297/.391/.544 with 27 homers and 91 RBIs.

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7

New York Mets (8)

Rumor has it that 3B David Wright might not play again this season. That will put a huge damper on an MVP-caliber season.

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8

Chicago Cubs (11)

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer definitely knows how to sell. He moved pitchers Matt Garza and Scott Feldman and OF Alfonso Soriano before the deadline.

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9

Colorado Rockies (7)

The time off ruined SS Troy Tulowitzki’s groove. He’s slashing .202/.299/.369 in 26 games since returning from the disabled list.

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10

Washington Nationals (9)

The Nationals are done. So they’ll have plenty of time to ponder last year’s decision to shut down RHP Stephen Strasburg.

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11

Milwaukee Brewers (14)

Keep an eye on rookie RHP Wily Peralta. He has a 2.06 ERA and a 43-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last eight starts.

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12

San Diego Padres (12)

Life after SS Everth Cabrera’s suspension is not going well. The Padres have lost four of five and are 3-for-50 with runners in scoring position over that stretch. Perhaps there’s some pressing going on.